10 more suspected measles deaths reported, toll rises to 138

Ten more people died of suspected measles in 24 hours till 8:00am today, raising the total suspected death toll to 138 since March 15, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Of the new deaths, six were reported from Dhaka division, three from Rajshahi, and one from Khulna.

During the same period, 1,248 new suspected cases were recorded, bringing the total to 11,133 suspected measles cases since March 15.

However, DGHS has so far confirmed 21 measles‑related deaths and 1,599 confirmed cases after laboratory testing.

Officials explained that samples from suspected patients are tested at reference laboratories in Dhaka, a process that takes time. As a result, suspected cases are listed immediately, while confirmed cases are updated later, creating discrepancies between suspected and confirmed figures.

They added that measles symptoms such as rash and fever overlap with other diseases, meaning not all suspected cases are ultimately confirmed.